Always dreamed of a Unique Destination Wedding? It starts with exploring Unique Destination Wedding Locations. When people think “Destination Wedding,” they often think of white sand beaches, turquoise blue water, and palm trees waving softly in the breeze.

This post was originally published in 2020 but has been updated in 2023.

While tropical locales are a popular choice for destination weddings (and one of our personal favourites!), there are also a ton of unique, off-the-beaten path locations for the couple who wants something different! Keep in mind, there is no on-site wedding coordinators at more unique locations so you are going to want to hire a destination wedding planner for these locations. Edited to add: Want more information about who you need to hire? Click here.

[PSSSST: So glad you found us here! It can be so frustrating to spend hours searching for wedding planning information when a majority of what you find online is either *so old* or completely geared toward all inclusive resort weddings. WE MADE THIS FOR YOU. In this 100+ page guide, there is information about all inclusive weddings (of course) but there is also PAGES & PAGES of budgeting, hiring vendors (when they aren’t all put in a nice little package for you), choosing a destination, arranging travel for your guests OUTSIDE of an all inclusive and so much more]

Costa Rica

If you want your marriage to start in a Pure Vida vibe, you should consider Costa Rica. Although you can take advantage of one of the beautiful all inclusive resorts (we are HUGE fans of Dreams Las Mareas, for one) there are also beautiful various beach clubs (if you have your eye on the coast) or villas/boutique-style hotels throughout Costa Rica to consider as well. It can also be popular to have your restaurant at one of the amazing local restaurants.

Cuba

Yes, Cuba is still technically a “tropical” location. It certainly has stunning beaches and plenty of those palm trees. That being said, it’s still a unique location for your destination wedding! Many Americans haven’t been able to travel there because of political reasons, but here in Canada, we’re lucky to be able to go there easily! Cuba’s interesting history, amazing food, and rich culture can be the perfect backdrop for your unique destination wedding. And Cuba’s classic cars make the perfect backdrop for unforgettable wedding photos! Yes, please!

France

Can you think of anything more romantic than to say “I Do” in the city of lights? It sounds like a dream, but it is totally possible. You may have thought about getting married with the Eiffel tower in the background but another (more unique) option would be to get married in the French countryside – think of rolling hills, fresh food from the local farms, and a stunning chateau as a backdrop. And of course, unlimited bread, cheese and wine. After the wedding, you can head to the South of France beaches!

Germany

“Germany?” You might be thinking. “Really?” Yes! The German countryside can be an unforgettable location for your destination wedding. It’s full of unreal landscapes, historic castles, and amazing food. Your guests will be thrilled to join you on such an interesting trip, and with the picturesque mountains and unbelievable vistas, your wedding will be like something out of a fairy tale. WE ARE HERE FOR IT. You might even find your wedding budget stretches a little farther here compared to more “traditional Europe destinations”.

Greece

Over the past few years, more and more clients have Greece at the top of their mind. And with picturesque views like the above photo in Santorini, who can blame them? It is definitely destination wedding worthy. You will probably fly into Athens so make sure to spend a couple days there checking sights off your bucket list! This is a destination where you DEFINITELY need to plan a Sunset Catamaran as a group excursion for your guests.

Thailand

If you guests will sacrifice the 30 hour flight to get there, it is absolutely worth the wait. Everyone is constantly surprised at how affordable LUXURY accommodations are. Especially for Destination Weddings, you can find value in Thailand. Whether you want to experience the authentic Northern side of Thailand or you want your wedding be a Full Moon Party to remember on one of the islands, you will be surprised at the diversity you can find here.

Guatemala

If none of the above destinations surprised you, hopefully this one did! Guatemala is a gorgeous place for a destination wedding and their tourist board is finally getting the word out about this fantastic destination! Whether you set your sites on a three volcano view at Lake Atitlan or get married in one of the beautiful city ruins, you can find something truly unique here. In Guatemala, you can find incredible pricing with a MUCH shorter flight from Canada (compared to the Southeast Asia destinations we mentioned above). It is kind of a win-win destination for all involved.

Are you interested in more unique destination wedding locations?

We love making memories around here. One thing we do want to be super upfront about though, is the need for planning assistance. With one of these unique destination wedding locations you are likely going to want to hire us (or another destination wedding planner) for more help with the actual planning. At all inclusive resorts, we are able to offer travel services free of charge (we are paid commission from the resort/airline) and then the wedding planning can be done with the all inclusive resort wedding coordinators. With unique destination weddings, you don’t have the same luxury!

For a more unique location, we offer Full Service Planning with On Site Coordination so that you can still enjoy a stress-free (or close to it) planning experience. If you have any questions about the services we offer, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We recognize that every destination wedding is unique and may need custom services.